Florist

Candice was just 18 and fresh from Year 12 when she started her floristry traineeship with Pearsons Florist in February 2008.

“I love gardening, painting and sculpture so floristry is the ideal career for me,” says Candice from the far south-west Sydney suburb of Campbelltown.

Pearsons’ Stanmore store is also the site of its School of Floristry. Candice works in the store four days a week and then at the school one day a week.

“The traineeship scheme makes the course financially accessible because I get help to pay for the course, and I’m earning while I study, working four days a week for Pearsons Florist.”

“My advice for anyone considering a career in floristry is to do your research; it is hard work being on your feet all day, but very rewarding.”

“My average day is very varied and includes making orders, customer service, shop maintenance and walking deliveries in the city. The best thing is when a customer loves something that I’ve created.”

“It’s great when I look back on the past six months and realise how far I have come.

“Because I’m working every day as well as studying, I’m getting a lot of practice so I’m becoming faster and more confident in my floristry all the time.”

Candice hopes to own her own floristry business in the future.